Stepping into the floating city of Columbia for the first time can be both awe-inspiring and overwhelming. With its visually stunning vistas, rich lore, and intense combat scenarios, BioShock Infinite throws a lot at you right out of the gate. But before your arsenal becomes the deadly playground it’s destined to be, you’ll have to make do with what you find—and make the most of it. Here’s a strategic breakdown of how to survive and thrive in the early hours of the game.
Scavenge Everything – Silver Eagles Are Your Best Friend
In the world of BioShock Infinite, cash is king, and Columbia is overflowing with loose change. It might sound ridiculous, but trash cans, benches, and even the pockets of fallen enemies are all potential gold mines. The locals apparently have no qualms about tossing away money like candy, and your job is to scoop up every last shiny coin you can. Whether you’re rifling through a bin or casually looting a counter, always be on the lookout.
And it’s not just for novelty—Silver Eagles are essential. From buying vital upgrades to refilling your ammo, health, and salts, money becomes the difference between scraping by and dominating the battlefield. If you’re playing on harder difficulties, this need becomes even more critical. Make a habit early on of obsessively looting everything. You won’t regret it.
Upgrade Smart – Prioritize Your Early Vigor Choices
One of the first big decisions you’ll make is how to spend your hard-earned cash. While gear and weapon upgrades can tempt you later, your first few purchases should go straight into improving your Vigors. The first vending machine you encounter—a Veni! Vidi! Vigor! station—offers a few early upgrades. If you’re starting fresh (without the season pass bonuses), you likely won’t have the funds for the flashier options like Bucking Bronco right away.
That’s okay. Focus on the Possession Vigor. It may not look like much at first, but it can turn the tide of combat instantly, especially before you unlock more aggressive options like Murder of Crows. The Possession upgrade allows you to convert human enemies to your side temporarily—not just machines. This means you can let enemies do your dirty work while you conserve ammo and health. It’s a small investment with big payoff in early-game survival.
Use the Skyhook – Not Just for Travel, But for Death
Your Skyhook is more than just a transportation device—it’s a brutally effective melee weapon. Don’t underestimate the power of an up-close execution. While it might seem flashy or gratuitously violent at first, there’s real strategy in using it consistently.
As you progress and start unlocking combat gear, the Skyhook becomes a foundation for synergizing your melee attacks with gear bonuses. For instance, items like Kill to Live or the Vampire’s Embrace give you health back for every Skyhook kill. That’s free healing in the middle of combat, making it a crucial tactic for aggressive players or those low on supplies. When in doubt, punch first, shoot later.
Hunt for Gear – But Know It’s a Gamble
Gear in BioShock Infinite changes the way you play. Whether it’s hats, shirts, pants, or boots, each piece offers a different passive bonus. Some of these are game-changers—Vampire’s Embrace (health on melee kills) or Bullet Boon (extended ammo capacity)—while others, like minor boosts to Skyline speed, are… less impressive.
The catch? Gear drops are randomized every time a checkpoint is loaded. If you find a piece you love, you’ll need to survive past the next checkpoint to lock it in. Otherwise, dying and reloading may replace it with something underwhelming. If you’re not satisfied with what you’ve picked up, you can manipulate this system by reloading the checkpoint and re-looting until you get a better option.
It might feel like cheating, but considering the brutal fights ahead, a good piece of gear can be the edge you need. Just don’t waste too much time—use it strategically when you know a key battle is coming.
Explore Relentlessly – The Path Less Taken Pays Dividends
If there’s one overarching principle to take with you through Columbia, it’s this: explore everything. Side paths, locked doors (get those lockpicks!), hidden alcoves—all of them hold something. Whether it’s more Silver Eagles, valuable gear, or new upgrades, you’ll never regret taking a detour.
Elizabeth plays a major role in this aspect too. As you journey together, she’ll often point out useful items or help you access otherwise unreachable locations. Her lockpicking ability is essential, especially since many of the best gear drops and collectibles are locked behind closed doors. Never ignore a locked area—odds are, it’s worth the effort.
More than just gameplay advantages, exploration also reveals more of the world’s backstory and character. Voxophones, hidden messages, and environmental storytelling all help flesh out the complex narrative at the heart of BioShock Infinite. You’re not just looting for loot’s sake—you’re immersing yourself in a world that’s rich with detail and secrets.
Final Thoughts – The Freedom to Choose
At the end of the day, BioShock Infinite gives you the freedom to craft your experience. Whether you lean on possession tricks, brute melee strength, or a careful gear build, there’s no wrong way to play—just smarter ways. Your decisions in the first few hours shape the rest of your run, so take your time, explore deeply, and don’t be afraid to experiment.
Columbia is vast, dangerous, and full of surprises. So grab your Skyhook, loot that trash can, and get ready to carve your path through the clouds.
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